STOCKPORT County manager Paul Simpson (pictured) has admitted to the Oxford Mail that he “probably should have kept” James Constable when he was Shrewsbury Town boss.

Former U’s favourite Simmo controversially let Constable leave the Shrews to join Oxford United, and the striker has gone on to score a hatful of goals for the U’s.

The decision upset many Shrewsbury fans when they saw the number of goals he was getting for Oxford, and is thought to have been a contributing factor in the club sacking Simpson when they failed to reach the play-offs last April.

After that, Simpson took charge of relegated Stockport County, who visit the Kassam Stadium to take on United this Saturday.

And Constable, nicknamed Beano, who smashed 26 goals last season and has struck six already this campaign, will be itching to find the net against Stockport to prove a point to his old boss.

Simpson conceded: “He’s done fantastic – but it was a real tricky decision for me at the time.

“I had about five strikers because I’d brought Grant Holt in. I’d watched him (Constable) a couple of times, and thought he was just a little bit short. An offer came in and I couldn’t afford to keep both Holt and him, and we’d also got other good strikers like Guy Madjo and Michael Symes.

“Maybe with hindsight I should have kept him. I won’t pass the buck, the decision to let him go was made by me.”

Simpson admitted: “Constable’s gone on and done really well and I’m delighted he has.

“I have absolutely nothing against him and I hope he keeps scoring – I just hope he doesn’t do it this Saturday against us!”

Meanwhile, Simon Clist is set to return from injury when Oxford United Reserves take on Stevenage Res in the totesport.com Combination at Didcot Town’s Loop Meadow Stadium tonight (7pm).